Metro, VRE, slug lines or the Express Lanes? Here’s how commuting works from Alexandria, Burke, Fairfax, Lorton, Springfield and Woodbridge.
In Northern Virginia, your commute can shape your whole day. Two homes a few miles apart can have very different trips to work, depending on which train, bus or highway is nearby. When I help clients choose a neighborhood, the commute is usually one of the first things we talk about.
Here’s a quick guide to the main options.
Metrorail
Metro is the D.C. area’s subway system, and several Northern Virginia communities have stations close by:
- Alexandria has several stations on the Blue and Yellow lines, including in Old Town, plus Eisenhower Avenue and Van Dorn Street.
- Springfield has the Franconia–Springfield station at the end of the Blue Line.
- The Fairfax area connects through the Orange Line’s Vienna/Fairfax–GMU station.
Living near a station, or near a bus route that feeds one, can make getting into D.C. much easier.
VRE (Virginia Railway Express)
VRE is a commuter train that runs on weekdays, mostly at rush hour, with stops in Alexandria, Crystal City and downtown D.C. It’s a favorite for people coming from farther out:
- Burke has two VRE stations.
- Lorton, Woodbridge and Franconia–Springfield have stations too.
If you work near a VRE stop, it can be a relaxing way to skip the traffic.
Slug lines
Slugging is a local tradition: a form of casual carpooling where drivers pick up riders at set spots so everyone can use the HOV lanes. Many slug lines run to the Pentagon and downtown D.C. from places like Woodbridge, Springfield, Burke and Lorton. It’s free for riders and saves drivers time.
The Express Lanes
Northern Virginia has toll Express Lanes on I-95, I-395, I-495 and I-66. Tolls change with traffic, but carpools with enough riders and an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode can often ride free. The rules vary by road, so it’s worth checking before you count on it.
Buses
Local bus systems connect neighborhoods to Metro and job centers, including the Fairfax Connector, DASH in Alexandria, and OmniRide in Prince William County, which serves Woodbridge.
Airports and trains
- Reagan National Airport is minutes from Alexandria and right on Metro.
- Dulles International Airport is reachable by the Silver Line and the Dulles Toll Road.
- The Amtrak Auto Train leaves right from Lorton, for trips south with your car.
Test the commute before you buy
My best advice: before you fall in love with a house, try the commute at the time you’d actually make it. A drive that takes 20 minutes on a Sunday can take much longer on a Tuesday morning. If you’re moving from out of town, I’m happy to tell you what I know about the commute from any neighborhood you’re considering.
Find the right neighborhood for your commute
Each of my neighborhood guides includes a section on getting around. Moving here on military orders? My PCS guide covers where to live near Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon and Quantico. And when you’re ready to start looking, send me a note.
